It's getting close to that time of year again. College and high school ball begin around the end of February and early March. Soon we watch the stock of top prospects rise and fall. Still quite early, but the general opinion of the 2012 draft class is that it's relatively weak overall. The strength leans heavily towards the high school ranks, particularly the bats. The college talent is quite thin, which is unfortunate for teams like the White Sox who all but ignore prep players. (The White Sox didn't draft a high schooler until the 33rd round last year)

With the 2012 draft comes the CBA changes that should level the playing field towards teams that don't spend heavily on the draft overall, or over the recommended slot. (see White Sox) With the new spending cap, there remains many questions. Primarily how it will effect high school players. The ability to take prep players in late rounds while throwing them piles of money is no longer an option. One would believe that early rounds are going to be skewed more towards the prep class, as the risk of not signing increases as the bonuses decrease as the rounds progress. Some think it's going to push more players to attend college, while others think it will remain largely unchanged. Jim Callis summarizes the most important changes, and notes how it could effect teams this summer.

The White Sox gained a supplemental pick this season by offering Mark Buehrle arbitration and him declining it, and eventually signing with Miami. That pick is 48th overall. The White Sox first round pick is 13th overall.

The 2012 draft order looks as such, with only changes to occur when Raul Ibanez and Derrek Lee sign.

For those who would like to familiarize themselves with players that are currently considered top draft candidates, here are some very early resources. With how early it is, the stock of said players remain largely in flux as one would imagine.

I saw one mock draft with the Sox picking High School OF David Dahl..... It's very early still, but I really hope they go with a good high upside guy and not **** this one up.

Every year I get excited about many high school prospects as 1st round picks to no avail. All signs seem to indicate it's JR that is most averse to anything other than college players.

I'm sure I'll start to get intrigued at high school arms/bats that could be available at 13, but let's keep in mind that the White Sox haven't used their 1st round pick on a prep player since 2001 with Kris Honel. They didn't even draft a high schooler until the 33rd round last year. Maybe the new CBA changes things with the Sox? Who knows? I'm not counting on it though.

Myself, I'm interested in players like Walker Weickel, Stryker Trahan, Max Fried, Lance McCullers, Matt Smoral, and Trey Williams from the high school ranks so far.

The safe bet for a White Sox selection are players like Brian Johnson, Victor Roache, Jake Barret, Marcus Stroman, and Michael Wacha. I really like Gausman and Chris Beck, but I don't think they will be around long enough.

Any sense in where the Sox will go in the draft's early rounds as far as pitching and offense is concerned?

Way to early to get a read on what the Sox are looking for. Especially since the system needs a bit of everything. One would hope they just go for BPA. Especially since best player available is now more viable for the Sox considering the CBA changes.

Padres and Blue Jays seem to have the most early picks there with the Cards not close behind.

It will be interesting to see who the Sox pick up. Hopefully we get someone who will make a difference for us in a few years. Sadly, I have the feeling (and I hope I'm wrong) that we'll be picking a lot higher than 13th next year.

Sadly, I have the feeling (and I hope I'm wrong) that we'll be picking a lot higher than 13th next year.

It might be for the best. If Kenny wants a quick turnaround in his rebuilding effort there are worse things than a top five to ten draft pick.

As for this year I still think the safe bet is on a college pitcher. That might be for the best as pitching is one thing that organization seems to adequately develop. Much more so than position players.

I've also joined whoever it was on the Dahl bandwagon. 5 tool lefty with great bat speed, plate discipline, power, and a good shot at staying in CF? Yes please. Though I think it's unlikely the Sox pick him.

It might be for the best. If Kenny wants a quick turnaround in his rebuilding effort there are worse things than a top five to ten draft pick.

As for this year I still think the safe bet is on a college pitcher. That might be for the best as pitching is one thing that organization seems to adequately develop. Much more so than position players.

I've also joined whoever it was on the Dahl bandwagon. 5 tool lefty with great bat speed, plate discipline, power, and a good shot at staying in CF? Yes please. Though I think it's unlikely the Sox pick him.

I agree. We just might need a few very valuable picks that hit with some success to get things going again. Just as I was excited with the Beckham pick, we'll likely have another one (or two) of those type picks to monitor coming up.

I'll be tuning in to see Stanford/Vandy tonight. Appel faces off against Ziomek. Appel has a very good shot at going number one overall in this year's draft. Ziomek is a 2013 draft candidate, but is a potential top 10 pick in the first round. On Stanford's side Piscotty, Diekroger, Stewart, and Gaffney will be worth watching. Team is stacked. Michael Yastrzemski for Vandy is noteworthy as well.

The White Sox are allotted $5,915,100 for 11 picks in the first 10 rounds. The extra pick is Buehrle compensation.

For reference the White Sox spent $2,126,300 on draft bonuses in the first 10 rounds in 2011, and $2,786,300 total on the draft.

Keep in mind, with the new CBA a team that exceeds its bonus pool by 0 - 5 percent must pay a 75 percent tax on the overage. The penalties increase, with a 75 percent tax and the loss of a first-round pick for a 5 - 10 percent overage. There is a 100 percent tax and the loss of first and second round picks for a 10-15 percent overage. Last is a 100 percent tax and the loss of two first-rounders for an overage of 15 percent or more.

Also quite significant is that If a team fails to sign a player in the first 10 rounds, its draft cap is reduced by the assigned value of his pick.

The White Sox are allotted $5,915,100 for 11 picks in the first 10 rounds. The extra pick is Buehrle compensation.

For reference the White Sox spent $2,126,300 on draft bonuses in the first 10 rounds in 2011, and $2,786,300 total on the draft.

Keep in mind, with the new CBA a team that exceeds its bonus pool by 0 - 5 percent must pay a 75 percent tax on the overage. The penalties increase, with a 75 percent tax and the loss of a first-round pick for a 5 - 10 percent overage. There is a 100 percent tax and the loss of first and second round picks for a 10-15 percent overage. Last is a 100 percent tax and the loss of two first-rounders for an overage of 15 percent or more.

Also quite significant is that If a team fails to sign a player in the first 10 rounds, its draft cap is reduced by the assigned value of his pick.